The facility will handle tasks such as translating liturgical texts into international and local languages, the Patriarchal Exarchate has said The Russian Orthodox Church has announced the creation of a new spiritual and educational center under its Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa, aimed at expanding religious teaching, media outreach, and pastoral support across the continent. The move was approved by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who has been instrumental in advancing the church’s growing presence in Africa since the establishment of the exarchate nearly four years ago, according to an official statement. Archpriest Tigry Khachatryan, a cleric of the Kursk Diocese, has been appointed head of the center named after the Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the Patriarchal Exarchate reported on Wednesday. “The Center’s tasks include translation and publication of liturgical, spiritual, and methodological literature into international and national languages of the peoples of Africa,” the official statement said. It added that the institution will also produce radio programs, films, and other media content, organize creative competitions and seminars, and provide regular online support to clergy and catechists. The Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa was established by Moscow in December… Russian Orthodox Church to establish new spiritual hub in Africa

Story Highlights : Australia’s high court upheld the government’s decision to deny Candace Owens a visa, citing concerns over her controversial views and the risk of inciting discord Candace Owens, a conservative political commentator from the United States, lost her legal challenge after the Australian high court upheld the government’s decision to bar her entry. The court ruled on Wednesday (October 15) that Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was justified in denying Owens a visa, citing “character” grounds. Burke had invoked the Migration Act last year to conclude that Owens failed the ‘character test’. The decision was based on concerns that Owens could ‘incite discord’ within Australian society. Her controversial public statements, including inflammatory remarks about various minority groups, were central to the minister’s rationale for the visa refusal. In response, Owens’ legal team argued that the Migration Act was unconstitutional, claiming it infringed on Australia’s implied right to free speech, especially in political matters. However, the high court dismissed this argument, ruling that the restrictions on political speech were necessary to protect national security and public order. Justices Stephen Gageler, Michelle Gordon, and Robert… “Candace Owens loses Australian visa appeal after failing ‘Character Test’ — here’s why”

Story Highlights : Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (October 13) addressed the Israeli Parliament  Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while addressing the Israeli Parliament on Monday (October 13) said that, “Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.  “No American president has ever done more for Israel, and as I said in Washington, it isn’t even close,” Netanyahu said, underscoring the significant impact Trump had on Israel’s diplomatic and security landscape.” While addressing, Netanyahu also said that he is committed to this peace, together with Trump, he will achieve this peace. Netanyahu specifically highlighted Trump’s contributions, including his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital during his first term, a move that was met with widespread praise in Israel but condemned by much of the international community. He also lauded Trump for brokered the Abraham Accords, agreements that led to the normalisation of diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco. The Israeli leader further commended Trump for supporting Israel’s rights in the occupied West Bank and for recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan… Netanyahu calls Donald Trump Israel’s greatest friend in the White House

The US president has admitted that sending the weapons to Kiev would be a “step of aggression” towards Russia US President Donald Trump has said he could talk to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, about Washington’s threat to send long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.  Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump stressed that Ukraine “would like to have Tomahawks,” but that he could discuss the issue with Putin. “I might say, look, if this war is not going to get settled, I’m going to send them Tomahawks,” he said. The US leader admitted that supplying the missiles to Kiev would be “a new step of aggression.” Trump recently claimed he had made a decision on whether Ukraine would receive Tomahawks, but that he needed to “ask the question where are they sending them.”  Tomahawks cost an estimated $1.3 million each and have a range of 2,500km (1,550 miles), meaning that they could potentially reach Moscow and far beyond. Commenting on the prospects of the US-made missiles being supplied to Ukraine, Putin said Moscow’s response “would be the strengthening of the Russian Federation’s air defenses.” He has also argued that Ukrainian forces would be unable… Trump Warns: Ukraine May Get Tomahawks if War Drags On

The number of suicides among people tied to the Nova music festival carnage continues to grow An Israeli man who survived the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel hast taken his own life, three days after the second anniversary of the assault. The body of Roei Shalev was found in a burning car on a highway exit outside the city of Netanya on Friday, according to the Jerusalem Post. Shalev had attended the Nova Music Festival, an all-night event held near the Gaza border on October 7, 2023 which was targeted by Hamas militants in their attack. He was shot in the back but survived by playing dead for several hours. His girlfriend, Mapal Adam, and his close friend, Hili Solomon, were among those killed. Two weeks after the tragedy, Shalev’s mother took her life. Hours before his body was recovered, Shalev posted a goodbye message on his Instagram page: “I just want this suffering to end. I’m alive, but inside everything is dead.” He also asked for forgiveness. Israeli police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. On Thursday, 56-year-old Yelena Giler, the mother of… Israeli Survivor Overwhelmed by Grief Takes Own Life After Seeing Girlfriend Killed

Sebastien Lecornu has been reappointed amid intense political turmoil but says he will stay only if conditions allow Reappointed French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has cautioned that his time in office might be short‑lived – again – unless political conditions improve. French President Emmanuel Macron reinstated Lecornu on Friday, just four days after the former armed forces minister resigned amid deep political instability. Lecornu acknowledged that many were reluctant to take on the role and warned that his tenure could last only as long as he retains the support needed to govern. Despite returning to the role, Lecornu stated he “had no agenda,” when answering questions from the press on Saturday. “I have no ambitions other than to get out of this moment, which is objectively very difficult for everyone,” he said. Lecornu’s reappointment came after his earlier administration collapsed within weeks due to a lack of workable alliances in a divided National Assembly. In his public remarks, Lecornu called for parties to end what he called the “ridiculous spectacle” of partisan gridlock. He emphasized the urgent need to pass a state and social security budget before year-end to help manage… Reappointed French prime minister admits his tenure may not last long

The last time an American president traveled to Israel, 11 days after the October 7 terror attacks, passengers aboard Air Force One received pocket-sized notecards describing how to behave should the motorcade come under rocket fire (“Do not exit the vehicle,” the tiny print helpfully read). Ultimately, the air-raid sirens did not sound during then-President Joe Biden’s nine hours on the ground in Tel Aviv. Instead, Israelis watched calmly along the sparkling Mediterranean as his motorcade sped by, some of them playing beach volleyball on the sand, others taking sunset jogs under an apricot sky. Almost exactly two years later, another president is making another last-minute trip to the country having accomplished what Biden, despite his best and often anguished efforts, could not: an agreement to release all hostages from Gaza, and a ceasefire many hope will lead to a permanent end to the Israel-Hamas war. Many steps remain before that can happen, but President Donald Trump’s brief visit to Israel this week to preside over the Gaza truce he helped broker will nonetheless be a valedictory one, and a moment he’s been envisioning for months. In a… When Biden visited Israel, wounds were fresh and tension was mounting. Two years later, Trump arrives with prospect of peace

Afghanistan’s Taliban troops exchanged deadly fire with Pakistani forces at the two countries’ shared border overnight, as tensions between the nations — which have accused the other of harboring enemy militants — erupted. Both countries claimed to have killed scores of the other side’s forces in the clashes and cited different death tolls. The Washington Post could not independently verify both sides’ figures, but the numbers appear to represent the most severe confrontation between the two nations since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. In a news conference Sunday morning, Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Taliban troops launched attacks at locations across the border, claiming to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers while losing some nine of its own soldiers. In a statement Sunday, Pakistan’s military claimed to have killed over 200 Taliban troops and aligned militants, while accusing Afghanistan of killing 23 of its own soldiers. Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said the attacks were in response to violations of its territory, days after the Taliban accused Pakistan of striking a market in the Paktika border province. Kabul claimed to have captured some 20 Pakistani army posts overnight, while… Afghanistan and Pakistan claim to kill dozens of soldiers in border clash

}Nicole Kidman, 58, says she’s learned to embrace her fair skin and height with age. }”I used to grapple with that and kind of twist my hip down and pretend I was smaller,” Kidman said. }But the “best part” about growing older is all the life experiences she’s managed to accumulate, she said. Nicole Kidman, 58, says she used to hide the features that now make her feel powerful In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar published Friday, the actor spoke about how she’s learned to embrace the things she once saw as flaws, including her complexion and tall frame. “My fair skin. I used to hate it. It’s still not my favorite thing, but I appreciate it because it’s very good on film, so I use it that way,” Kidman told Harper’s Bazaar. The “Babygirl” star added that her height was another thing she learned to appreciate. “I’m lucky to be tall and I have so much leeway with what I eat because there’s so many more places for it to go! There’s not a small gene in our family. I mean, we are all giants,” Kidman… Nicole Kidman says getting older helped her appreciate 2 features she used to dislike about herself-A Must Read

The Nobel Committee awarded this year’s peace prize to Maria Corina Machado amid calls for President Donald Trump to receive the award in the wake of his brokering a historic deal between Israel and Hamas.  Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader, was described as a “brave and committed champion of peace” by Joergen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. “She is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” Frydnes said. Trump has received several high-profile nominations since returning to office. However, the committee’s deadline for nominations was Jan. 31, meaning he could be eligible for next year’s prize.